Portable power adapter with detachable battery unit

ABSTRACT

A power adapter has an adapter housing, AC to DC power conversion circuitry disposed within the adapter housing, a positive power contact and a negative power contact disposed on the adapter housing and operatively connected with the power conversion circuitry, AC wall outlet prongs mounted in one of the faces and operatively connected with the power conversion circuitry, a DC power connection interface connected by a cable to the adapter housing, wherein the cable operatively connects the DC power connection interface with the power conversion circuitry; and a magnet disposed in the first face of the adapter housing. The magnet and the power contacts of the power adapter mate with corresponding magnet and power contacts of a battery unit, which also includes a battery housing and an electrolyte disposed within the battery housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional and claims the benefit under 35USC § 119(e) of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/135,398, filed Mar.19, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to power adapters for chargingportable electronic devices, and more particularly relates to a portablepower adapter having a detachable and separately rechargeable batteryunit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present day consumers typically own a laptop computer, which requirescharging from a wall socket using a power adapter for converting the ACwall socket power to DC power at a lower voltage. Additionally,consumers typically own several smaller electronic devices such as acell phone, a music player, a camera, etc. These smaller devices alsorequire charging, either from a port of the laptop (e.g., a USB port) orthrough their own power adapters when connected to an external powersource. It can be challenging to find enough wall sockets to rechargeall of a consumer's electronic devices in a single convenient location.Additionally, most laptops only have a limited number of ports whichcannot be used to charge multiple devices when the ports are alreadybeing used.

Additionally, it can become necessary to recharge an electronic devicewhen no wall socket is available. On occasion, an electronic deviceneeds a small amount of charge to finish a task before the device powersdown due to insufficient battery capacity. For example, a user on a callusing a mobile phone may wish to finish the call, but cannot find apower source to plug into, or may not have enough time to get to a powersource. As noted, if the phone is plugged into a traditional powersource, like a wall socket, it is difficult to continue using the phoneas desired. Accordingly, what is needed is a power charger, even with asmall boost of power, that is as portable as the electronic device andpreferably easy to carry with the electronic device and the appropriatecharging cable, and thus easily usable on-the-go.

Further, portable power chargers designed for use on-the-go must besuitable to a variety of conditions, as they are often most in needwhere a standard external power source is not available, and thus oftenneeded when there is no power at all. For example, a portable powercharger is especially useful when walking, camping, at the park, at themall, or at a sporting event, where one may need to use a phone in anemergency situation. In such situations, the user doesn't want to haveto carry too many objects, and this may not be able to carry a largepower charger, even if portable, and one or more charging cables inaddition to an electronic device (e.g., smart phone). Accordingly, aportable power charger that is easy to carry around without taking uptoo much space is desirable.

Portable power chargers, however, typically require their own chargingcables and power adapters for recharge from a wall socket. Thus, in thecontext of recharging electronic devices at home, portable powerchargers only add to the difficulty of finding enough wall sockets allin the same place. In particular, a typical wall socket has only twooutlets. Thus, it can be difficult to recharge a portable power chargerwhile at the same time recharging a laptop and another electronic devicesuch as a mobile phone.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a combination poweradapter and portable battery that can expand the options for rechargingnot only a portable laptop, but multiple additional electronic devicesat the same time. Accordingly, there is a need for a power adapter thatcan be used in the traditional manner to recharge a laptop whenconnected to a power source, such as a wall socket, but also capable ofrecharging the laptop when no external power source is readilyavailable. There is also a need for such a power adapter that can beused to recharge portable electronic devices, including but not limitedto smart phones, mobile phones, data tablets, music players, cameras,camcorders, gaming units, e-books, Bluetooth® devices, GPS devices, andthe like, either through connection with a laptop or directly from theportable power adapter. Still further, there is a need for a poweradapter having a compact size and aesthetically pleasing design that hasincreased functionality for a user requiring a source of power formultiple devices. Accordingly, it is a general object of the presentinvention to provide a combination power adapter and portable powersource that improves upon conventional power adapters currently on themarket and that overcomes the problems and drawbacks associated withsuch prior art power adapters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a universal portablepower adapter assembly for charging multiple portable electronicdevices, including laptop computers and smart phones, while on the roador in the comfort of one's own home. The power adapter assemblycomprises a power adapter and a detachable battery unit. The compact“puck” design of the power adapter includes a power input interface,such as an AC wall plug, and retractable or wind-up DC power outputcable adapted for connection to a portable laptop and/or variousportable electronic devices for recharging such devices. Additionally,multiple USB ports may be included on the power adapter, the batteryunit and/or the power output cable so that multiple electronic devicescan be recharged at the same time. The detachable battery unit has acomplementary “puck” design that is stackable with the power adapter,and can be recharged from the power adapter while the DC power cable andthe USB ports are in use to recharge electronic devices.

The power adapter assembly may be used either when connected to anexternal power source, such as an AC wall socket, or when disconnectedfrom such an external power source, provided there is ample charge inthe battery unit. In this regard, the power adapter may be connected toa laptop or a device via the DC power output cable, or may include poweroutput connection ports to which devices can be connected for rechargingfrom the external power source or the battery unit. The detachablebattery unit may also have multiple power output connection ports (e.g.,USB ports) that provide additional charging capacity for multipleelectronic devices without the need for an external power source, suchas an AC wall socket.

As noted, the power adapter assembly can act as a portable power chargeras the detachable battery unit provides additional charging capacity formultiple electronic devices without the need for an external powersource, such as an AC wall socket. In use, one simply plugs the poweradapter (with or without the battery unit attached) into an AC wallsocket to provide a power charge through the adapter to a connectedelectronic device (either at the end of the DC power cable or viaconnection ports on the housing or cable). Additionally, when thebattery unit is attached to the charging device, the power supplied fromthe wall socket via the adapter can recharge the portable battery unitas well as all connected devices all at once. When the power adapter isunplugged from the outlet, it can continue to deliver power to attachedelectronic devices from the battery unit.

Additionally, the detachable battery unit can be attached to compatibleelectronic devices via its unique configuration of voltage ringcontacts. The battery includes multiple positive voltage rings ofdiffering potential, which align with corresponding pins on compatibledevices. This allows for the voltage connection to be determined by thepins' diametrical position. In certain embodiments the battery unit alsois supplied with corresponding pins on the face opposite the voltagerings, so that it can be stacked with additional complementarybatteries. Thus it is possible to attach multiple batteries to onecharger to provide even longer portable power capacity.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent in light of the detailed description ofembodiments thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows in planar side view a portable power adapter and adetachable battery unit, according to a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 shows in planar bottom view the portable power adapter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows in perspective view the portable power adapter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows in perspective view the portable power adapter of FIG. 1with a flex cover opened to expose a power cable.

FIG. 5 shows in planar side view the portable power adapter of FIG. 4with the flex cover opened.

FIG. 6 shows in side cross-sectional view the battery unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 shows in planar side view the battery unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 shows in planar top view the battery unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows in planar side view the assembled portable power adapterand battery unit of FIG. 1.

FIG. 10 shows in perspective view the portable power adapter and thebattery unit of FIG. 1 in use to charge a laptop.

FIG. 11 shows in perspective view a portable power adapter according toa second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows in perspective view a portable power adapter and adetachable battery unit according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 shows in planar top view the power adapter and in planar bottomview the battery unit of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 shows in bottom perspective view the portable power adapter ofFIG. 12.

FIG. 15 shows in perspective view a portable power adapter and adetachable battery unit according to a fourth embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 16 shows in bottom perspective view the portable power adapter ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 17 shows in bottom perspective view the battery unit of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 shows in perspective view the assembled portable power adapterand the battery unit of FIG. 15 with a flex cover opened to expose apower cable.

FIG. 19 shows several views of in-line power connection ports accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 shows several views of in-line power connection ports accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 shows several views of in-line power connection ports accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 shows several views of in-line power connection ports accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 shows several views of in-line power connection ports accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 shows several views of in-line power connection ports accordingto an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A portable power adapter assembly in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-10. The power adapter assemblyincludes a portable power adapter 100 and a detachable battery unit 200,as illustrated in FIG. 1. In preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, the power adapter 100 and the battery unit 200 are designedto be magnetically connected together and operatively electricallyconnected by way of positive and negative electrical contacts, asfurther discussed below. In alternative embodiments, the structuralconnection between the adapter 100 and the battery unit 200 can be bymechanical means.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the portable power adapter 100 comprises anadapter housing 102, which houses power conversion circuitry 104. Theadapter housing 102 includes a first face 106, which is shown as a flatgenerally circular face. The adapter housing 102 also includes agenerally flat and generally circular second face 107 that opposes thefirst face 106, and includes a generally circular peripheral face 108that surrounds and connects the first and second faces.

In operation, the power conversion circuitry 104 converts AC power to DCpower. The power conversion circuitry 104 is operatively connected toreceive the AC power from AC wall outlet prongs 114 adapted forengagement with a standard U.S. AC wall socket, and is furtheroperatively connected to supply the converted DC power to pin contacts110, 112 provide on the surface of the adapter housing 102 as well as toa DC power cable 118 having a connection interface 116 adapted forconnected with a laptop and/or a portable electronic device. Stillfurther, the power conversion circuitry 104 can be operatively connectedwith power connection input and output ports provided on the adapter 100for receiving or outputting power. Typically, the power conversioncircuitry 104 provides relatively high voltage DC Power—e.g., +19 VDC—tothe DC power interface 116 for charging a laptop or the like. The powerconversion circuitry 104 also provides the same relatively high voltageDC power to the pin contacts 110, 112 for recharging the battery unit200 when connected to the adapter 100, as further discussed below. Thepower conversion circuitry 104 also may produce intermediate DCpower—e.g., +5 VDC—for charging USB devices that may be connected to theadapter 100 via power output connection ports. This intermediate DCpower is provided, for example, to USB output ports 130, illustrated inFIG. 3.

Referring to FIG. 2, the contact pins 110, 112 are mounted in aprotrusion 109 that is formed on the first (bottom) face 106 of theadapter housing 102. The protrusion 109 generally comprises a raisedcylindrical surface for physically locating the battery unit 200 forinterconnection. The contact pins 110, 112 are preferably spring-loadedwithin the protrusion 109 and radially aligned with fixed contactcircles located on the upper surface of the detachable battery unit 200when interconnected with the adapter 100. Also mounted in the protrusion109 is a magnet 113 that assists in attaching the battery unit 200 ontothe power adapter 100 as further discussed below.

As illustrated in FIG. 105, a flip out wall plug is provided forconnection to an AC wall socket. In FIG. 1, for example, the plug isillustrated in its stored position within a cavity 129 formed in theadapter housing 102. In FIG. 3, the wall plug is pivoted to an outwardlyprojecting position for use. Thus, the AC wall outlet prongs 114 arepivotally mounted in the peripheral face 108 of the adapter housing 102so that they are movable between the retracted position within theadapter housing 102 and the deployed position protruding from theadapter housing. In their retracted position, the wall outlet prongs 114are stowed within the cavity 129 that is formed in the peripheral face108 of the adapter housing 102 so that they are contained within thegeneral footprint of the adapter housing 102 and do not interfere withtransport or storage of the power adapter assembly. The cavity 129provides room for a finger to be inserted for extracting the prongs 114.

The DC power interface 116 at the end of the power cable 118 isoperatively connected with the power conversion circuitry 104 via thecable 118. The cable 118 can be wrapped around a spindle 120, whichprotrudes from the second face 107 of the adapter housing 102. When thecable 118 is wrapped around the spindle 120, it can be covered by aflexible cover or shroud 122. The flexible cover 122 has an inner edge124, which is attached to the spindle, and has an outer edge 126, whichis freely movable. The outer edge 126 of the flexible cover 122 can bemoved from a closed position, proximate to the adapter housing 102, toan open position distant from the adapter housing. In its closedposition the flexible cover 122 conceals the wrapped cable 118. In itsopen position the flexible cover 122 exposes the wrapped cable 118, asillustrated in FIGS. 4-5, so that the cable 118 is free to be unwrappedor wrapped in an expeditious fashion. The flexible cover 122 isgenerally parabolic or frustoconical in shape and is elastic, so that itcan be snapped or popped between its two positions. The flexible cover122, as illustrated, is preferably made from TPR, silicone, or TPE. Theflexible cover 122 may include a tab 127 provided at its outer edge 126,as illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 11, for ease of moving thecover between closed and open positions.

Referring to FIG. 2, the power adapter 100 is shown alone in a planarbottom view. The generally circular adapter housing 102 includes acorner portion 128 in which the wall outlet prongs 114 are pivotallymounted. The first or bottom surface 106 of the power adapter 100includes the cylindrical protrusion 109, in which the positive contactpin 110 and the negative contact pin 112 are mounted. The magnet 113also is mounted in the protrusion 109. As shown, the magnet 113 islocated centrally to the protrusion 109, between the positive andnegative contact pins 110, 112. However, the magnet 113 can equally bearranged as a plurality of magnets spaced around the protrusion 109 oreven across the bottom surface 106 outside the protrusion 109, providedcomplementary magnets are similarly located in the battery unit 200 forinterconnection.

Referring to FIG. 3, the power adapter 100 may include one or more poweroutput connection ports 130 formed in the corner portion 128 of theadapter housing 102. The power output connection ports 130 areillustrated as USB connection ports. However, any known connection port,including but not limited to mini-USB and micro-USB type ports, may beused without departing from the spirit and principles of the presentinvention. The power output connection ports 130 are operativelyconnected with the power conversion circuitry 104 to supply a standardcharging power profile—e.g., USB 2.0 standard 2 A at +5 VDC.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional side view of the battery unit 200. Inpreferred embodiments, the battery unit uses a Lithium-Ion battery thatcan be recharged by connection to an external power source. The batteryunit 200 includes a battery housing 202, which encases an electrolyte204 and charging circuitry 205. The battery housing 202 has a generallycircular upper first surface 206, a generally circular lower secondsurface 207, and an annular peripheral surface 208. As illustrated, thebattery housing 202 includes an indentation 209 on upper surface 206 forengagement with the protrusion 109 of the adapter unit 100, discussedabove. The battery unit 200 also includes a protrusion 219 on the lowersurface 207, on which positive and negative electrical pin contacts 220,222 are provided for engagement with another battery unit for increasedpower, as discussed further below.

The charging circuitry 205 operatively connects the electrolyte 204 withpositive and negative contacts 210, 212 that are provided in theindentation 209 in the first face 206 of the battery housing 202. Thesepositive and negative contacts 210, 212 are fixed rings that areradially aligned with the contact pins 110, 112 of the power adapter100. The positive contact ring 210 is operatively connected with thecharging circuitry 205 to provide the battery high voltage—e.g., +19VDC—for charging the battery unit 200 or for recharging a relativelyhigh voltage load (e.g., a laptop) from the battery unit 200. Thenegative contact ring 212 is operatively connected with the chargingcircuitry 205 at the battery ground. The potential difference betweenthe positive contact ring 210 and the negative contact ring 212 may bethe full cell potential of the electrolyte 204. One or more intermediatepositive contact rings 211 a, 211 b may be provided at lesser voltages(partial cell potential differences from ground)—e.g., +5 VDC or +14 VDCfrom battery ground—according to the specifications of variouscompatible devices that may be powered from the battery unit 200.

The indentation 209 formed in the top face 206 of the battery unit 200is preferably a cylindrical indentation having a complementary size andshape to the protrusion 109 on the adapter 100. The cylindricalindentation 209 is used to physically locate the complementaryprotrusion 109 for interconnection of the adapter 100 with the batteryunit 200. When so interconnected, the contact pins 110, 112 of theadapter are aligned with the fixed contact circles 210, 212 of thebattery unit 200. Also provided in the indentation 209 is a first magnet213, which complements the magnet 113 of the adapter housing 102. Thus,the battery unit 200 is attachable to the power adapter 100 byinteraction of the respective magnets 213, 113. In alternativeembodiments, the structural connection between the adapter 100 and thebattery unit 200 can be by mechanical means.

At the peripheral surface 208 of the battery housing 202, at least onepower connection port 214 is provided that can be either a power inputconnection, a power output connection, or both, such as shown anddescribed in Applicants' co-pending U.S. application Ser. No.13/682,985, incorporated herein by reference. The power connection port214 may be, for example, a USB, mini-USB, or micro-USB type port, or thelike. The charging circuitry 205 operatively connects the powerconnection port 214 with the electrolyte 204.

The charging circuitry 205 also operatively connects the electrolytewith second positive and negative contacts 220, 222, which are providedin the protrusion 219 at the lower second face 207 of the batteryhousing 202. Also provided in the protrusion 219 is a second magnet 223.The protrusion 219 and the second contacts 220, 222 are respectivelyaligned in registry with the indentation 209 and the first contacts 210,212. The second positive contact 220, which is a pin-type contact, isoperatively connected with the charging circuitry 205 at the batteryhigh voltage (e.g., +19 VDC). The second negative contact 222, whichalso is a pin-type contact, is operatively connected with the chargingcircuitry 205 at the battery ground. Thus, multiple battery units ofsimilar design can be stacked together by interaction of their magnets213, 223. The operative connections of the charging circuitry 205 withthe first contacts 210, 212 and with the second contacts 220, 222provide for parallel electrical connection of battery units that arestacked together in this manner.

Referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of power connection ports 214 a, 214 b,214 c are shown. The ports 214 a, 214 b, 214 c are of differingconfigurations—i.e., USB, Apple® Lightning, and micro-USB. Oneconnection port—e.g., port 214 c—may operate as a power input connectionport for recharging the battery unit 200 from an external power source,while the other two connection ports—e.g., ports 214 a and 214 b—mayoperate as power output connection ports for recharging electronicdevices from the power adapter assembly. The ports 214 may beoperatively connected with the charging circuitry 205 at an intermediatevoltage (+5 VDC). Generally, the ports 214 are operatively connectedwith the charging circuitry 205 via diodes for one-way power transfer.However, it is possible to configure the charging circuitry 205 toprovide a charge from one of the ports 214 to the electrolyte 204. Forexample, a step-up power converter can be included in the chargingcircuitry 205 to convert standard USB 2.0 voltage and current from oneof the ports 214 (2 A at +5 VDC) to voltage and current suitable forcharging the electrolyte 204 (e.g., 0.45 A at +20 VDC).

Also shown at the peripheral surface 208 of the battery housing 202 is apower indicator means 226, which can include a microprocessor thatilluminates a series of LEDs according to battery charge to indicate thecharge level of the battery unit 200. For example, all of the lights maybe illuminated to indicate a full charge, while only some of the lightsmay be illuminated to indicate a partial charge, while none of thelights would be illuminated when the battery is depleted. The powerindicator means 226 is operatively connected with the charging circuitry205 for monitoring the state of charge in the electrolyte 204—i.e., bytracking how much current has gone in or out at what voltage and for howlong.

As shown in FIG. 8, which is a top view of the battery unit 200, thepositive and negative contacts 210, 212 can be annular in shape andgenerally concentric with the cylindrical indentation 209 that is formedin the upper first surface 206 of the battery housing 202.

Referring to FIG. 10, use of the power adapter assembly of the presentinvention is illustrated, with the power adapter 100 and the batteryunit 200 connected from a wall outlet W to a laptop L for the purpose ofcharging the laptop. At the same time, additional electronic devicescould be charged from the power output ports 130 at the corner 128 ofthe power adapter 100. While so connected, the external power source canbe charging the laptop, any devices connected to the power adapterassembly, and the battery unit 200. In accordance with the presentinvention, the power adapter assembly can be disconnected from the walloutlet W and continue to charge the laptop and any devices connected tothe adapter 100 provided the battery unit 200 is attached and has acharge.

FIG. 11 shows in perspective view a slight variation of a power adapterassembly in accordance with the present invention in which the walloutlet prongs 114 are slidably movable into and out of the cavity 129,rather than pivoting.

FIG. 12 shows in perspective view an alternate embodiment of the presentinvention, in which a power adapter 400 is provided with a detachablebattery unit 500 that may be stored within a central cavity formed inthe adapter housing 402. Similar components are similarly numbered tothose illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-11. The power adapter400 includes adapter housing 402, which has a generally parabolicperipheral surface 408. A power cable 418 with a DC power connectioninterface 416 is operatively connected to power conversion circuitry(internal to the adapter housing 402), which is wrapped around a hollowspindle 420 defining a recess adapted for receiving the battery unit 500as described herein. The cable 418 can be concealed by a flexible cover422, which has an inner edge 424 that is attached to the spindle 420 andhas an outer edge 426 that is movable between a closed positionconcealing the cable 418 and an open position exposing the cable 418 foruse. The power adapter 400 includes a positive power contact 410 as wellas a negative power contact (not shown), both disposed on a flat firstor upper face 406 that is inside the hollow spindle 420.

Referring to FIG. 14, AC wall outlet prongs 414 are pivotally mounted ina corner portion 428 of the peripheral surface 408, and are operativelyconnected with the power cable 418 and the DC power connection interface416 via power conversion circuitry (not shown), which is encased in theadapter housing 402.

The detachable battery unit 500 includes a battery housing 502, whichhas a lower surface 506, an upper surface 507, and a peripheral surface508 designed to fit within the recess formed in the adapter 400.Referring to FIG. 13, the battery unit 500 is shown in a planar bottomview while the power adapter 400 is shown in a planar top view. At theupper surface 406 of the adapter housing 402, a positive power contact410 and a negative power contact 412 are provided alongside a centrallylocated magnet 413. These contacts may be spring-loaded contact pinsacting as the positive and negative contacts. On the lower surface 506of the battery housing are positive and negative power contacts 510, 512designed as fixed contact circles that interact with the contact pins410, 412 on the adapter 400. The battery unit 500 further includes amagnet 513, which is centrally located among the power contacts 510,512. The battery puck 500 can be attached and operatively connected tothe power adapter 400 by interactions of the magnets 413, 513 and of thepower contacts 410, 412, 510, 512, substantially as discussed above withreference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11. The battery unit 500 may alsobe designed to snap fit into the recess formed in the center of theadapter 400.

Referring to FIG. 14, which shows a bottom perspective view of the poweradapter 400, the cable 418 includes an in-line power connector body 430,which houses a power connection port 434 (e.g., a USB socket) forreceiving a plug P (e.g., a USB plug) for a separate connector cablepreferably used to connect an electronic device to the power adapterassembly for recharging. The in-line connector body 430 is curved toconform to the spindle 420 for wrapping the cable 418 under the flexiblecover 422 without inhibiting closing of the flexible cover 422 oraffecting the size or aesthetics of the power adapter assembly. Thein-line power connector body 430 may also house step-down powerconverter circuitry (not shown) for reducing the DC power plug 416voltage (e.g., +19 VDC) to USB 2.0 specification voltage at the powersocket 434. As illustrated, the in-line connector body includes at leastone power connection port 434 for connecting to a connector cable.Alternative designs of such an in-line power connector body areillustrated in FIGS. 19-24.

FIG. 15 shows in perspective view a portable power adapter 600 with adetachable battery unit 700, according to another alternate embodimentof the present invention. Similar components are numbered similarly tothose illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-14.

The power adapter 600 has an adapter housing 602, which includes agenerally parabolic peripheral face 608. At an upper (first) face 606 ofa central spindle 620, the power adapter has positive and negative powercontacts 610, 612 as well as a centrally located magnet 613. A flexiblecover 622 extends from the upper face 606 of the spindle 620 to theperipheral face 608. The flexible cover 622 has an outer edge 626 thatis movable from a closed position proximate the peripheral face 608 toan open position distant from the adapter housing 602.

The battery unit 700 has a housing 702, which has a flat upper surface707 and a generally parabolic housing shape tapered down to a flat lowersurface 706.

Referring to FIG. 16, the portable power adapter 600 is shown alone in abottom perspective view. The parabolic peripheral surface 608 extends toa flat bottom surface 607, in which a cavity 629 is formed for receivingAC wall outlet prongs 614 that are pivotally mounted in a cornerprotrusion 628. The power adapter 600 includes a power cable 618 and aDC power connection interface 616, which are operatively connected topower conversion circuitry housed in the adapter housing 602. The cable618 includes an in-line connector body 630 much as described above. Thein-line connector body 630 has a wasp-waisted or narrowed segment 632,which permits bending the connector body while wrapping the cable 618around the spindle (not shown in this view) so as not to inhibit closingof the flexible cover 622 or affect the size or aesthetics of the poweradapter assembly. The in-line connector body also includes one or morepower connection ports 634, which are operatively connected to the cableconductors by additional power converter circuitry housed in theconnector body 630 for connection to one or more electronic devices forrecharging from the power adapter assembly.

Referring to FIG. 17, the battery unit 700 is shown alone in a bottomperspective view. The battery housing 702 includes a generally parabolicperipheral surface 708 as well as a flat bottom surface 706. On thebottom surface 706 there are a positive power contact 710, a negativepower contact 712, and a centrally located magnet 713. In the peripheralsurface 708 there are power connection ports 714—e.g., a USB power port714 a and a micro-USB power port 714 b—which may act as either a powerinput, a power output, or both.

As in other embodiments of the invention, the battery magnet 713 iscooperative with the adapter magnet 613 for attaching the battery unit700 to the power adapter 600. When so attached, the power contacts 610,612 of the adapter 600 become operatively connected with the powercontacts 710, 712 of the battery unit 700. Thus, referring to FIG. 18,the battery unit 700 is shown attached to the power adapter 600. Asillustrated, the flexible cover 622 is in its open position. In thisembodiment, the flexible cover 622 envelopes the battery unit 700. Inthis regard, the battery unit 700 helps hold the shape of the flexiblecover 622 and the flexible cover 622 helps hold the battery unit 700 inplace so as not to break the electrical connection between the batteryunit 700 and the adapter 600. With the flexible cover 622 up, the cable618 is free to be unwrapped and wrapped in an expeditious fashion.

Referring now to FIG. 19, an alternate embodiment of an in-line powerconnector is shown in multiple views. The power connector, which isdisposed partway along a cable 1918, includes a connector body 1930 inwhich power connection ports 1934 are provided. The power connectionports are operatively connected with the cable 1918 by power convertercircuitry, which is housed in the connector body 1930. The connectorbody 1930 has a generally rectangular section in one plane along thecable 1918, and has a generally trapezoidal cross-sectional shape in theorthogonal plane along the cable 1918. The power connection ports 1934are provided in the narrowed portion of the trapezoidal section.

FIG. 20 shows another alternate embodiment of an in-line powerconnector. The power connector includes a connector body 2030 that isdisposed along a cable 2018. The connector body 2030 has a generallyrectangular section in one plane along the cable 2018, and has agenerally spectacle-shaped cross-sectional shape in the orthogonal planealong the cable 2018. The “bridge” 2032 of the spectacle section enablesthe connector body 2030 to flex and conform to wrapping the cable 2018around the spindle of the adapter body as described above. Powerconnection ports 2034 are provided in the “lens” portions of thespectacle section, and a plug P is shown inserted into one of the powerconnection ports in a direction generally orthogonal to the cable 2018.

FIG. 21 shows another alternate embodiment of an in-line powerconnector. This power connector differs from the power connector of FIG.19 chiefly in having a flared shape rather than the rectangular shapeshown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 shows another alternate embodiment of an in-line power connectorbody, also using a spectacle-shaped in-line power connector body 2230.Similar components are numbered similarly to illustrate din FIG. 20. Inthis case, the connector body 2230 differs from the connector body 2030of FIG. 20 in that the power ports 2234 are indented into the connectorbody 2230 generally parallel to the cable 2218. Thus, as shown, the plugP is insertable into the in-line connector 2200 in a direction generallyalong the length of the cable 2018.

FIG. 23 shows another alternate embodiment of an in-line powerconnector, using a more triangularly flared shape for the connector body2330 than the in-line power connector body 2230 shown in FIG. 22.Similar components are numbered similarly to those illustrated in FIG.22 and are not further described.

FIG. 24 shows another alternate embodiment of an in-line powerconnector. In this case, the cable 2418 bends inside the power connectorbody 2430 so that the power connection ports 2434 are offset from eachother but extend generally parallel to the cable. Thus, a plug P isshown inserted into one of the power connection ports 2434 generallyalong the direction of the cable 2418.

The foregoing description of embodiments of the present invention hasbeen presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the formdisclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light ofthe above disclosure. The embodiments described were chosen to bestillustrate the principles of the invention and practical applicationsthereof to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize theinvention in various embodiments and with various modifications assuited to the particular uses contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable power adapter assembly comprising: (i)a power adapter comprising: an adapter housing that has a first facesurrounded by a peripheral face; AC to DC power conversion circuitrydisposed within the adapter housing; AC wall outlet prongs mounted inone of the faces and operatively connected with the power conversioncircuitry; a DC power connection interface connected by a cable to theadapter housing, wherein the cable operatively connects the DC powerconnection interface with the power conversion circuitry; a positivepower contact and a negative power contact disposed at the first face ofthe adapter housing and operatively connected with the power conversioncircuitry; and a magnet disposed at the first face of the adapterhousing along with the positive power contact and the negative powercontact; and (ii) a detachable battery unit comprising: a batteryhousing that has first and second opposed faces; an electrolyte disposedwithin the housing; a positive power contact and a negative powercontact formed at the first face of the battery housing and operativelyconnected with the electrolyte; and a magnet disposed in the first faceof the battery housing adjacent the positive and negative powercontacts, wherein, the first face of the battery housing is configuredto mate with the first face of the adapter housing in complementarycontact therewith, with the positive and negative power contacts of theadapter operatively connected with the respective positive and negativepower contacts of the battery.
 2. The portable power adapter assembly ofclaim 1, wherein the positive and negative power contacts of the batteryunit are rings and the positive and negative power contacts of theadapter are contact pins that are spaced apart to be diametricallyopposite each other on the rings.
 3. The portable power adapter assemblyof claim 2, wherein the positive and negative power contacts of thebattery unit are concentric power contact rings.
 4. The portable poweradapter assembly of claim 3, wherein the magnet of the battery unit iscentrally located within the power contact rings.
 5. The portable poweradapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the AC wall outlet prongs arepivotally mounted for movement between a deployed position protrudingfrom the respective face and a retracted position within the respectiveface of the adapter housing.
 6. The portable power adapter assembly ofclaim 3, wherein the wall outlet prongs of the power adapter aredisposed in the peripheral face of the adapter housing.
 7. The portablepower adapter assembly of claim 1, said adapter further comprising: aspindle protruding from the adapter housing, opposite the first face ofthe adapter housing, for wrapping the cable around the spindle; and aflexible cover attached at an end of the spindle distal from the adapterhousing, and movable from a closed position with an outer edge of theflexible cover proximate the adapter housing for concealing the wrappedcable to an open position with the outer edge of the flexible coverdistant from the adapter housing for revealing the wrapped cable.
 8. Theportable power adapter assembly of claim 1, wherein the positive andnegative power contacts of the battery unit are disposed within arecessed portion of the first face of the battery housing.
 9. Theportable power adapter assembly of claim 1, further comprising chargedcircuitry in the battery housing operatively connecting the electrolytewith the positive and negative power contacts of the battery unit. 10.The portable power adapter assembly of claim 9, further comprising atleast one power output connection interface operatively connected withthe electrolyte via the charging circuitry.
 11. The portable poweradapter assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least power outputconnection interface comprises a female power connection port providedon the battery housing.
 12. The portable power adapter assembly of claim1, further comprising a second positive power contact and a secondnegative power contact formed at the second face of the battery housingand operatively connected with the electrolyte.
 13. The portable poweradapter assembly of claim 12, further comprising a second magnetdisposed in the second face of the battery housing adjacent the secondpositive and negative power contacts.
 14. The portable power adapterassembly of claim 13, wherein the second magnet is aligned with thefirst magnet, and the second positive and negative power contacts arealigned with the respective complementary positive and negative powercontacts of the first face such that the battery unit is capable ofbeing stacked with copies of itself in electrical parallel for augmentedstorage capacity.
 15. The portable power adapter assembly of claim 12,wherein the second positive and negative power contacts are pincontacts.
 16. The portable power adapter assembly of claim 12, whereinthe second positive and negative power contacts are concentric powercontact rings.
 17. The portable power adapter assembly of claim 16,wherein the second magnet of the battery unit is centrally locatedwithin the second set of power contact rings.
 18. The portable poweradapter assembly of claim 12, further comprising charged circuitry inthe battery housing operatively connecting the first positive andnegative power contacts of the battery unit with the second positive andnegative power contacts.
 19. A portable power adapter assemblycomprising: (i) a power adapter comprising: an adapter housing that hasa first face surrounded by a peripheral face; AC to DC power conversioncircuitry disposed within the adapter housing; AC wall outlet prongsmounted in one of the faces and operatively connected with the powerconversion circuitry; a DC power connection interface connected by acable to the adapter housing, wherein the cable operatively connects theDC power connection interface with the power conversion circuitry; apositive power contact and a negative power contact disposed at thefirst face of the adapter housing and operatively connected with thepower conversion circuitry; and a magnet disposed at the first face ofthe adapter housing along with the positive power contact and thenegative power contact; and (ii) a detachable battery unit comprising: abattery housing that has first and second opposed faces and arechargeable battery disposed therein; a positive power contact and anegative power contact formed at the first face of the battery housingand operatively connected with the rechargeable battery; and a magnetdisposed in the first face of the battery housing adjacent the positiveand negative power contacts, wherein, the first face of the batteryhousing is configured to mate with the first face of the adapter housingin complementary contact therewith, with the positive and negative powercontacts of the adapter operatively connected with the respectivepositive and negative power contacts of the battery.
 20. The portablepower adapter assembly of claim 19, the detachable battery unit furthercomprising: a second positive power contact and a second negative powercontact formed at the second face of the battery housing and operativelyconnected with the rechargeable battery; and a second magnet disposed inthe second face of the battery housing adjacent the second positive andnegative power contacts, wherein the second magnet is aligned with thefirst magnet, and the second positive and negative power contacts arealigned with the respective complementary positive and negative powercontacts of the first face such that the battery unit is capable ofbeing stacked with copies of itself in electrical parallel for augmentedstorage capacity.